Stock up on medication ahead of the long weekend, warns ambulance service

12 April 2017

As Londoners prepare for the bank
holiday break, the capital’s ambulance service is reminding them to
check they have enough medication to see them through the long
weekend.

Patients with long term health conditions can
be more vulnerable to illnesses, particularly if their prescription
medication runs out. And, whilst NHS 111 will be open throughout
the holiday period, some pharmacies and GPs will be closed.

Dr Fenella Wrigley, Medical Director at London
Ambulance Service said:

“We want Londoners to enjoy the weekend. While
chocolate treats will be top of the shopping lists, we are
encouraging everyone to check they have adequate medication to see
them through the four-day break. Also, please consider over the
counter medicines to relieve the symptoms of upset stomachs, coughs
and colds.”

During the four-day Easter period last year
(25-28 March 2016), London Ambulance Service responded to 12,039
incidents across the capital.

Dr Wrigley added: “As ever, we’re expecting a
very busy weekend and we’re urging Londoners to help us by only
calling for an ambulance in a genuine emergency. As always we will
prioritise our sickest patients and those with less serious
illnesses and injuries will wait longer.”

Ends

Notes to Editor

London Ambulance Service NHS Trust is the
busiest emergency ambulance service in the UK that provides
healthcare that is free to patients at the time they receive
it.

We have over 5,000 staff, who work across a
wide range of roles based in 70 ambulance stations.

We serve more than nine million people
who live and work in the London area. We take over 1.8 million
emergency calls a year.